A flock of sheep on a farm in northern China’s Inner Mongolia was filmed walking in a near continuous circle for 12 days, according to a video released by the state newspaper People’s Daily. The footage shows dozens of sheep tracing almost perfect circles beneath the open sky, a sight that has sparked widespread curiosity and discussion about animal behavior.
This extraordinary display has inspired a range of theories about why the animals might circle in place. Some suggestions are unconventional, even unsettling, proposing ideas such as a so-called death spiral in sheep, a notion that has circulated alongside other, more mundane explanations. A few voices have connected the behavior to diseases affecting the nervous system, including listeriosis caused by the bacterium Listeria monocytogenes, though the link remains speculative and contested.
As reported by the science portal IFLScience, infections of this kind can sometimes impact one side of the brain stem, causing impairment that leads to a unilateral facial tilt. This tilt can influence gait and sometimes results in circular walking, a condition that has earned the nickname “circle disease” in casual discussions. Yet experts caution that such infections are relatively uncommon and that most animals recover or return to normal behavior after an episode, if it occurs at all. ScienceAlert also notes this pattern, though it emphasizes that many cases do not fit neatly into a single explanation.
Nevertheless, the mystery persists, and observers remain divided. Some researchers say they have never seen a comparable phenomenon and hesitate to jump to conclusions. Others argue that the event could be a composite of several factors, not a simple anomaly or a hoax. The debate underscores how easily unusual animal behavior can capture public imagination and fuel online speculation.
Matt Bell, a professor and the director of the Department of Agriculture at Hartpury University in Gloucester, England, offers one straightforward perspective. He suggests that the behavior may be a reaction to confinement rather than a mysterious pathology. In Bell’s view, sheep kept in a pen for extended periods can display stereotyped movements as a form of pent-up frustration. When the animals switch from roaming to repetitive circling, the dynamics of herd behavior often amplify the pattern as nearby sheep join in, reinforcing the behavior through social cues and shared discomfort.
The possible outcomes of a behavioral loop
According to ScienceAlert, circling behavior is a known sign of captive animals displaying zoochosis, a term used to describe stereotypic actions arising from stress, boredom, and restricted environments. This phenomenon can spread through a group when one animal begins a repetitive motion and others imitate it, creating what looks like a contagious display of discontent. In such scenarios, the animal group can become stuck in a loop that serves no obvious survival purpose, beyond the social dynamics of the herd.
On the ground, the farm’s owner reportedly observed the pattern spreading gradually from a few individuals to the entire flock, a progression that some researchers say supports Bell’s explanation of social amplification. The broader context is that no other sheep pens on the same property showed the same behavior, which keeps the mystery alive and invites continued observation rather than immediate conclusions.
What makes this case particularly compelling is the way it intersects animal welfare, farm management, and science communication. The sight of a whole flock engaging in an unusual, repetitive motion raises questions about how animals adapt to captivity, how farmers manage livestock well-being, and how researchers interpret rare behaviors when evidence is limited. The discussions underscore the importance of distinguishing observed patterns from definitive diagnoses and encourage ongoing, careful study rather than sensationalism.
In a broader sense, the episode illustrates how unusual animal behavior can provoke public interest and scientific inquiry alike. It also demonstrates the responsibility of media and researchers to present findings with caution, clearly separating observation from speculation. As experts weigh the possibilities, the phenomenon continues to be a focal point for curiosity about animal cognition, environmental stressors, and the social dynamics that shape group behavior in domesticated species.
Further insights point to the need for systematic observation, controlled studies, and careful documentation of flock dynamics under varying conditions. Such work can help distinguish harmless behavioral quirks from potential welfare concerns, guiding farmers and veterinarians toward practical, evidence-based strategies for maintaining flock health and productivity while reducing stress-inducing factors in husbandry practices.
Notes: the situation did not involve publicized contact details or officially announced conclusions, and no other enclosures on the farm demonstrated the same pattern. Ongoing monitoring and professional assessments are essential to understand whether this instance signals a broader trend in animal behavior or remains an isolated incident seen through the lens of exceptional media interest.
References: observations reported by People’s Daily and corroborating discussions by IFLScience and ScienceAlert, with expert commentary from Hartpury University researchers, along with ongoing journalistic coverage from major outlets.